Ms. Stowe's Blog

Monday, April 27, 2015

So we needed to make a video for our Ed. Tech. and Design class. My group had chosen the Solar System as our focus for our thematic unit, and we each needed to make our video pertaining to that. We chose 2nd grade as the grade we were focusing on, so I made a pretty simple video. I think it would be pretty easy for student to create a similar video and put their own spin on it.

Doing a video project gives students the chance to be very creative. They can record a video of them presenting the information in a fun way, they can add pictures to the video, and they can record their voice, or whatever the students want to do. A video allows students to use their imaginations in a new, fun way.

Using technology in different ways is a fantastic tool for educators to use because students are having fun with the technology and are learning at the same time. Usually, students retain information better if they are doing a project that they find fun and interesting.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

So, I'm almost 20 years old. In about one week, (the Monday of finals,) I'm going to be 20. Technology has changed so much in the short period of time that I have been on this earth.

When I was really little, we lived in New Providence and we didn't have any sort of technology other than a house phone and a TV. Then we moved to Atlantic, where my dad needed to get a computer for classes that he was taking so that he could get his Bachelor's degree. Since this was the early 2000's, we got a Dell that had the huge glass screen and was basically a big box. After living in Atlantic for a few years, we moved to Williamsburg. In Williamsburg, we used the old computer for a while, then we got a new computer that supported the current technology and other things.

When I was a senior, my high school went from just having computer labs, to 1-to-1 laptops for each student. Having those laptops made class so much more interactive and just made a better learning environment all together. Having those laptops, which were MacBooks, that helped me make a decision about what kind of laptop I wanted to have during college, which was a Macbook Pro.

I remember having a kid's toy with cassette tapes and it had a microphone, and then as we got older, we got portable CD players, which were the coolest things in the world. Then my family decided that my sister and I were old enough to share a cell phone, so we got a flip phone and had that for quite a long time. Sharing a phone is hard!! After that phone died, it was time for my sister and I to get our own phones, but we didn't get smart phones, we had basic phones, which we all still had until a couple of weeks ago. We finally got smart phones and they are so great. Ugh, I don't know how we made it so long without these things.

It's just amazing how much technology has changed in a few short years. I can't wait to see what comes next.

Top left: old computerTop right: current computerBottom: current laptop

Friday, April 24, 2015

Why do we have INTASC Standards?These standards help teachers incorporate important skills for learners into their lessons. As teachers, we can make any type of lesson we want to, which may, or may not incorporate important pieces of learning. By using these standards, we can streamline our lessons and the way we teach so that each student can get the best education possible.

These INTASC Standards are written from the perspective of a teacher. They talk about how the teacher can use these standards to enrich students thinking and their learning.

These standards can both help enhance a teachers performance and guide the design of instruction by giving the teacher a guide to create an environment that is collaborative and inclusive to every student.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

LucidChart is an amazing tool. It allows teachers to make a info web, or any other type of tool they want to help guide students in the right direction for learning.

In our Ed. Tech & Design class, we had to make a learning tool. I chose to make a LucidChart because it was the best option for me. The thematic unit for our group is the Solar System, so my lucid chart helps guide students around the solar system.

As a teacher, this helps me assess where the students are at by showing me that each student can find the prompted fact, as well as any other facts about the planets and the solar system.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Universal design are products and environments that are usable by all people. For example, curb ramps, originally made for people in wheelchairs, are also great for strollers, bikers, older people, or people who have a difficult time navigating curbs.

Universal design can be used by everyone, gives universal access to learning, and is a way in which you can take a look about how people learn and how the process things in different ways.

Differentiated instruction focuses on whom we teach, where we teach, and how we teach. It's essential to a classroom because each student is different, and we, as teachers, need to do our best to teach each student to the best of our abilities.

Universal design for teaching maximizes learning for all and makes sure that each student knows that they are valued as students.

Friday, March 27, 2015

So, this is my blog. Not my first one, I had to make one in high school for my Exploring Teaching class. This is for my Ed. Tech. and Design class.
I am a sophomore in college right now and I am dual majoring in Elementary Education and Early Childhood, with a minor in Literacy. I am the oldest child in my family, with one younger sister, Natalie, who is still in high school.
I am super excited for the end of the school year to come because there are big important events happening at the beginning of summer and I can't wait!